Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32867727›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2020

Perceived utility and feasibility of pathogen genomics for public health practice: a survey among public health professionals working in the field of infectious diseases, Belgium, 2019.

N Van Goethem, M J Struelens, S C J De Keersmaecker, N H C Roosens, A Robert, S Quoilin, H Van Oyen, B Devleesschauwer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  6. The New Precision Stewards?Journal of personalized medicine · 2022
    Article
  7. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

N Van GoethemScientific Directorate of Epidemiology and public health, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. Nina.VanGoethem@sciensano.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7316-6990
M J StruelensSurveillance Section, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Gustav den III:s Boulevard, 169 73 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
S C J De KeersmaeckerTransversal activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
N H C RoosensTransversal activities in Applied Genomics, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
A RobertDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institut de recherche expérimentale et clinique, Faculty of Public Health, Université catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-champs 30, 1200, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium.
S QuoilinScientific Directorate of Epidemiology and public health, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
H Van OyenScientific Directorate of Epidemiology and public health, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
B DevleesschauwerScientific Directorate of Epidemiology and public health, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPathogen genomics is increasingly being translated from the research setting into the activities of public health professionals operating at different levels. This survey aims to appraise the literacy level and gather the opinions of public health experts and allied professionals working in the field of infectious diseases in Belgium concerning the implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in public health practice.

methodsIn May 2019, Belgian public health and healthcare professionals were invited to complete an online survey containing eight main topics including background questions, general attitude towards pathogen genomics for public health practice and main concerns, genomic literacy, current and planned NGS activities, place of NGS in diagnostic microbiology pathways, data sharing obstacles, end-user requirements, and key drivers for the implementation of NGS. Descriptive statistics were used to report on the frequency distribution of multiple choice responses whereas thematic analysis was used to analyze free text responses. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify important predictors for a positive attitude towards the implementation of pathogen genomics in public health practice.

results146 out of the 753 invited public health professionals completed the survey. 63% of respondents indicated that public health agencies should be using genomics to understand and control infectious diseases. Having a high level of expertise in the field of pathogen genomics was the strongest predictor of a positive attitude (OR = 4.04, 95% CI = 1.11 - 17.23). A significantly higher proportion of data providers indicated to have followed training in the field of pathogen genomics compared to data end-users (p < 0.001). Overall, 79% of participants expressed interest in receiving further training. Main concerns were related to the cost of sequencing technologies, data sharing, data integration, interdisciplinary working, and bioinformatics expertise.

conclusionsBelgian health professionals expressed favorable views about implementation of pathogen genomics in their work activities related to infectious disease surveillance and control. They expressed the need for suitable training initiatives to strengthen their competences in the field. Their perception of the utility and feasibility of pathogen genomics for public health purposes will be a key driver for its further implementation.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelAdultBelgiumCommunicable DiseasesFeasibility StudiesFemaleGenomicsHealth PersonnelHumansMaleMiddle AgedPublic HealthSurveys and Questionnairesnext-generation sequencingpathogen genomicsPublic health practicesurveywhole-genome sequencing

Identifiers

PMID32867727
PMCPMC7456758

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.